Multiscopic image capture system

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein may generate captured views and a plurality of intermediate views within a pixel disparity range, T d , the plurality of intermediate views being extrapolated from the captured views.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to imaging capture systems, andmore particularly to image capture systems configured to generate aplurality of captured views of the same scene or object.

BACKGROUND

Images capture system may be configured to provide a plurality ofcaptured views of the same scene or object. Intermediate views may beinterpolated from the plurality of captured views. The interpolatedintermediate views may be used to generate multiscopic content,including stereoscopic, panoramic (e.g., 180-, 270-, 360-degree views),and holographic contents.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of a capture system may be operable to generatecaptured views and a plurality of intermediate views within a pixeldisparity range, Td, the plurality of intermediate views beingextrapolated from the captured views. The system may include S number ofsensors operable to generate the captured views, S being an integergreater than one, wherein each sensor pairs with at least one othersensor to define a maximum effective disparity Md. In an embodiment, Sis greater than or equal to (Td/Md)+1 wherein the ratio Td/Md is greaterthan 1. At least two of the S number of sensors may be defined ondifferent substrates. The sensors have an effective sensor width, Sw andan effective pixel resolution, Px and the sensors have optical centersseparated by a distance, DIA, which is (SW*DMax*MD)/(PX*FL), Dmax beingthe distance between the sensor imaging plane and the closest object ina scene, and Fl being the focal length.

In an embodiment, Md is less than 25% of a pixel resolution of a firstintermediate view. In an embodiment, Md is less than 10% of the pixelresolution of the first intermediate view. In an embodiment, Md is lessthan 1% of the pixel resolution of the first intermediate view.

In an embodiment, the image capture system may further include opticalmodules having lenses operable to direct image light towards thesensors, the lenses each define an effective focal length, Fl, whereinoptical centers of adjacent optical modules are spaced apart by amaximum inter axial distance, Dia, or less, the Dia being defined by theequation: Dia=(Ws*DMax*MD)/(PX*FL), wherein DMax is a distance between aclosest capture object and the optical center of a nearest opticalmodule.

The sensors may be arranged in a variety of arrangement, including avertical array, horizontal array, or a 2 dimensional array.

In an embodiment, the sensors each have a sensor width, Ws, definedalong a first direction, have a pixel resolution, Px, along the firstdirection, and are disposed in optical modules and the capture systemfurther include optical modules comprising lenses operable to directimage light towards the sensors, the lenses each define an effectivefocal length, Fl, and optical centers of adjacent optical modules arespaced apart by a maximum inter axial distance, Dia, or less, the Diabeing defined by the equation: Dia=(Ws* DMax*MD)/(PX*FL), wherein DMaxis a distance between a closest capture object and the optical center ofa nearest optical module.

An exemplary embodiment of a capture system comprises: 1) a firstcluster of sensors operable to generate first captured views, the firstcluster comprising S1 number of sensors, S2 being an integer greaterthan one, wherein a first plurality of intermediate views within a firstpixel disparity range, Td1, are operable to be extrapolated from thefirst captured views; and 2) a second cluster of sensors operable togenerate the second captured views, the second cluster comprising S2number of sensors, S2 being an integer greater than one, wherein asecond plurality of intermediate views within a second pixel disparityrange, Td2, are operable to be extrapolated from the second capturedviews. Each sensor of the first cluster pairs with at least one othersensor to define a maximum effective disparity, Md1, of the firstcluster. Each sensor of the second cluster pair with at least one othersensor to define a maximum effective disparity, Md2, of the secondcluster. In an embodiment, S1≥(Td1/Md1)+1 and S2≥(Td2/Md2)+1, and theratios Td1/Md1 and Td2/Md2 both greater than 1. At least one of thefirst cluster of sensors and at least one of the second cluster ofsensors may be defined on different substrates.

In an embodiment, the first cluster of sensors comprise at least twosensors defined on a same substrate. In an embodiment, the at least twosensors on the same substrate are operable to capture different views.In another embodiment, the first cluster of sensors comprise at leasttwo sensors defined on different substrates.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first or the second cluster ofsensors comprise at least two sensors having substantially the samepixel pitch.

An exemplary capture system is operable to generate captured views, anda plurality of intermediate views within a pixel disparity range, Td,are operable to be extrapolated from the captured views. The capturesystem may include S number of sensors operable to generate the capturedviews, S being an integer greater than one, wherein each sensor pairswith at least one other sensor to define a maximum effective disparity(matched to effective resolution), Md, and wherein S≥(Td/Md)+1 and theratio Td/Md is greater than 1.

In an embodiment, the Md is less than 25% of a pixel resolution of afirst intermediate view; and at least two of the S number of sensors aredefined on different substrates. In an embodiment, Md is less than 10%of the pixel resolution of the first intermediate view. In anembodiment, Md is less than 1% of the pixel resolution of the firstintermediate view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingfigures, in which like reference numbers indicate similar parts, and inwhich:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating a first capture systemoperable to capture different views of an object;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a theoretical capture systemoperable to capture different views of an object;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a capture system operable tocapture different views of an object and interpolate from the captureviews, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary capture systemoperable to capture different views of an object, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary capturesystem operable to capture different views of an object, in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary configuration of a capture system having clusterof sensors, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating a capture system witha sensor configuration for rotated images, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a capture system with apolarizaing beam splitter, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary elements of acapture system with a relay system, in accordance with the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagrams illustrating a capture system withsplit aperture configuration, in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a splitpolarizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating a capture system 100configured to generate a plurality of captured views of an objection.The capture system 100 may include a number, N, of optical modules 102,104, 106 configured to capture a scene comprising a closest object 108.While FIG. 1, for illustrative purpose, shows only three optical modules102, 104, 106, it is to be appreciated that the capture system 100 mayinclude other numbers of optical modules, such as, two, four, five ormore. The optical modules 102, 104, and 106 have optical axes 132, 134,and 136, respectively, and the optical axes 132, 134, and 136 are spacedapart by an interaxial distance, D_(IA). The closest object 108 may bespaced from an optical center 124 of the optical module 104 by adistance D_(max), which is parallel to the optical axis 134 of theoptical module 104. The optical modules 102, 104, and 106 are configuredto generate the captured views 142, 144, and 146 of the object 108,respectively. The captured views 142, 144 may have a disparity 150, andthe captured view 144, 146 may have a disparity 152. The disparitybetween the first and last captured views 142 and 146 define a totaldisparity range T_(D). In an embodiment, the optical modules 102, 104,and 106 may have form factors that result in a large D_(IA), such as alens diameter on the order of 10 cm, and the large D_(IA), in turn, mayresult in large disparities 150 and 152. As illustrated in FIG. 2, withlarge disparities 150 and 152, the captured views 142, 144, and 146 donot provide enough information to interpolate intermediate views (e.g.,160, 162, 164, 166) within the total disparity range without creatingocclusions and substantial distortions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a theoretical capture system 200similar to that of capture system 100 except the form factor limitations(e.g., lens diameter) are ignored. The capture system 200 may includetheoretical optical modules 202, 204, 206 that are superimposed on eachother to reduce the D_(IA) and thereby reducing the disparities 250 and252 of the captured views 242, 244, and 246. The disparities 250 and 252may be less than a maximum effective disparity, M_(D), such thatintermediate views 260 and 262 may be generated substantially seamlesslywithout creating occlusions and distortions.

While the M_(D) in FIG. 3 was achieved by superimposing the opticalmodules 202, 204, 206, which is physically impossible, it is to beappreciated that, in accordance with the principles disclosed in thepresent disclosure, various hardware configurations of the capturesystems of the present disclosure may be configured to allow for captureviews with a M_(D) such that intermediate views within a total disparityrange, T_(D), may be generated substantially seamlessly without creatingocclusions and distortions.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of acapture system 400 in accordance with the present disclosure. Thecapture system 400 may be configured to generate captured views of ascene. The scene information in the capture views generated by thecapture system 400 allows for, generating, without substantialartifacts, at least one intermediate view within a pixel disparityrange, T_(D), defined by the captured views. T_(D) may be user defined,automatically calculated, or predefined.

In an embodiment, the capture system 400 may include at least S numberof optical modules, such as optical modules 402, 404, and 406. Whileonly optical modules 402, 404, and 406 are shown in FIG. 4 forillustrative purpose, it is to be appreciated that the capture system400 may include other numbers of optical modules, such as, two, four,five or more. In an embodiment, each of the optical modules 402, 404,406 may include at least one imaging sensor 472, 474, 476, respectively,and at least one lens 482, 484, 486, respectively, configured to directimage light to the imaging sensors 472, 474, 476 to generate capturedviews, thereby defining an effective focal length, F_(L). In anembodiment, at least two of the imaging sensors 472, 474, 476 aredefined on different substrates.

The capture system 400 may be configured so that the number S is greaterthan or equal to (T_(D)/M_(D))+1, in which S may be a number rounded upto the nearest integer. The ratio T_(D)/M_(D) may be greater than 1. Theimaging sensors 472, 474, 476 may pair with an adjacent imaging sensorto define a maximum effective disparity M_(D), which may be less than orequal to (D_(IA)*P_(X)*F_(L))/(S_(w)*D_(MAX)), in which:

S_(w) is an effective sensor width of the image sensors 472, 474, 476,the S_(w) being defined along a first direction 490;

P_(X) is an effective pixel resolution of the image sensors 472, 474,476 along the first direction 490;

D_(IA) is an interaxial distance between optical centers 422, 424, 426of adjacent optical modules 402, 404, 406; and

D_(MAX) is a distance between the closest object 108 in the scene andthe optical center 424 of the optical module 404 closest to the closestobject 108.

In an embodiment, the image sensors 472, 474, 476 may have pixels thatare not active for any reason, such as digital scaling, and theeffective sensor width, SW and the effective pixel resolution, P_(x), ofthe image sensors 472, 474, 476 may be understood to be defined by theactive pixels only.

It is to be appreciated from that M_(D) allows for the determination ofthe S number of sensors in the capture system 400 to allow for theinterpolation of intermediate views from the capture views within theT_(D) substantially without artifacts. Additionally, various physicalconfigurations of the capture system 400 may be adjusted to achieve acombination of D_(IA), P_(X), F_(L), and S_(w) to achieve M_(D), therebyallowing for the interpolation of intermediate views from the captureviews within the T_(D) substantially without artifacts. In anembodiment, to allow for the interpolation of intermediate views fromthe capture views within the T_(D) substantially without artifacts,M_(D) maybe less than a percentage of a pixel resolution of a firstintermediate view. For an intermediate view having a pixel resolution ofat least 1K in one dimension, the percentage may be about 25%, orpreferably about 10%, or most preferably about 1%.

The first direction 490 along which the effective pixel resolution isdefined may be referred to as the x-direction, and a second direction492 orthogonal to the first direction 490 may be referred to as they-direction. In this geometry, the optical centers 422, 424, 426 may befixed in both the x- and y-directions and define an array of the opticalmodules 402, 404, and 406. In an embodiment, the modules 402, 404, and406 may have optical axes 432, 434, 436, respectively, extending along athird direction 494 referred to as the z-direction, which is orthogonalto the x- and y-directions and perpendicular to the surface of imagingsensors 472, 474, 476, respectively.

In an embodiment, the surfaces of the imaging sensors 472, 474, 476 maybe configured to be parallel to each other. For reasons to be discussedbelow in greater detail, in an embodiment, the imaging sensors 472, 474,476 may be configured to translate along the x-, y-, or z-direction. Inan embodiment, the lens 482, 484, 486 may be rotatable about the x-, y-,or z-direction, resulting in 3 degrees of freedom plus focal adjustment.

In an embodiment, the lens of capture system 400 may have a maximumoptical distortion of <OMax %, in which the OMax may be a maximumdistortion value to ensure rectilinear or near rectilinear imageacquisition. OMax may be user defined, automatically calculated, orpredefined. The lens may also have a maximum focal length differentialof <TMax %, in which TMax may be a maximum differential value betweenthe lenses' field of view as captured during image acquisition such thatthe optical characteristics between each individual module are correctedfor optomechanically within the below established tolerances. TMax maybe user defined, automatically calculated, or predefined. The resultingcaptured image, given the above tolerances, may be individuallycalibrated (if necessary) through use of calibration targets (orsimilar) to include individual optical distortion correctiondisplacement maps per module to ensure rectilinear image output. Imagesmay be calibrated both optomechanically and/or through hardware and/orsoftware image processing to ensure all capture perspective imagescontain the lowest possible distortion and variance. In an embodiment,the captured pixels may be aligned, before and/or after image processingcalibration, within a tolerance of +/−TMax % (represented as a percentof pixel width of frame) at the corners of each frame at a distancegreater than D_(Inf) about the X image axis. D_(Inf) may be the distancewhere less than 1 pixel of disparity is possible between any twoadjacent optical modules and may be calculated as(F_(L)*D_(IA)*P_(X))/S_(W).

The captured pixels may be aligned within a tolerance of +/−(TMax/TC) %(represented as a percent of pixel width of frame) at the center of eachframe at a distance greater than D_(Inf), before and/or after imageprocessing calibration, within a tolerance of +/−TYMax % (represented asa percent of pixel width of frame) at the corners of each frame at adistance greater than D_(Inf) about the Y image axis, in which: TMax%=PMax/P_(x); TYMax %=TMax % *(P_(Y)/P_(X)). P_(Y) may be the effectivepixel resolution along Y axis produced by imaging sensor; PMax may be anumber of pixels, and TC may be a threshold divisor

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, which schematically illustrate thecalibration of the capture system 400 for converged capturing, whichallows interpolated intermediate views for panoramic (e.g., 180-, 270-,360-degree views), and holographic contents. The image sensors 472, 474,476 of the capture system 400 may be translated by a distance DS in thex-direction to an offset position relative to the respective opticalaxes 432, 434, 436, to converge the images captured by all perspectivesat the image frustum height and width at a perpendicular distance, CD,from each of the imaging sensors 472, 474, 476. CD may be determined bythe equation CD=((D_(Inf)-D_(Max))*CA %)+DMax, in which CA % is apercent between 0 and 100% to determine a relative position between thenearest and furthest captured positions within a disparity space. Thedisparity space may refer to the world positions that exist between thedistances that are parallel to optical axis and perpendicular to imagingsensor's surface from optical center of any individual optical module ofdisparity space values 1 through M_(D). In an embodiment, the imagesensors 472, 474, 476 of the capture system 400 may be translated by adistance DS in the y-direction or z-direction. DS may be determined bythe equation, DS=((S_(N#)*D_(IA))/CD)*F_(L).

In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, the translation of the imagesensors 472, 474, 476 of the capture system 400 may be effected at DS2to converge the images captured by all perspectives at a subsection ofthe sensor's frustum height and width at a perpendicular distance fromeach image sensor, CD, while capturing using the full sensor's width andcropping to the resulting desired subsection of image frame, PX2. DS2may be considered to be a maximum translation distance to overlap thetwo subsection frames within the full sensor resolution and may bedetermined by the equation, DS2=tan(D_(IA))*FL. PX2 may be a userdefined, automatically calculated, or predefined value in pixels thatrepresents a subsection of pixel width as captured using the fullimaging sensor, and it is less than PX.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a capture system 700 having afirst cluster of sensors 710 operable to generate first captured views,the first cluster comprising S1 number of sensors, S1 being an integergreater than one. The first cluster of sensors 710 may be similarlyconfigured as the sensors 472, 474, 476 of the capture system 400. Afirst plurality of intermediate views within a first pixel disparityrange, Td1, are operable to be extrapolated from the first capturedviews. The capture system 700 may have a second cluster of sensors 720operable to generate the second captured views, the second clustercomprising S2 number of sensors, S2 being an integer greater than one.The second cluster of sensors 720 may be similarly configured as thesensors 472, 474, 476 of the capture system 400. A second plurality ofintermediate views within a second pixel disparity range, Td2, areoperable to be extrapolated from the second captured views. Each sensorof the first cluster pairs with at least one other sensor to define amaximum effective disparity, Md1, of the first cluster. Each sensor ofthe second cluster pair with at least one other sensor to define amaximum effective disparity, Md2, of the second cluster. In anembodiment, S1≥(Td1/Md1)+1 and S2≥(Td2/Md2)+1, and the ratios Td1/Md1and Td2/Md2 both greater than 1. In an embodiment, at least one of thefirst cluster of sensors and at least one of the second cluster ofsensors may be defined on different substrates. In an embodiment, thefirst cluster of sensors comprise at least two sensors defined on a samesubstrate. In an embodiment, the at least two sensors on the samesubstrate are operable to capture different views. In anotherembodiment, the first cluster of sensors comprise at least two sensorsdefined on different substrates. In an embodiment, at least one of thefirst or the second cluster of sensors comprise at least two sensorshaving substantially the same pixel pitch. Referring to FIG. 7, one ormore individual clusters 710 and 720 may be separated by a distance persegment, DSub, where DSub=((DIA*((SN−SN2)+(R−1)))/(R−1))+/−VS.

It is to be appreciated that the limiting factors for configuringD_(IA), P_(X), F_(L), and S_(W)to achieve M_(D)may include sensor moduleand/or electronics board width, lens outer diameter, sensor offset (forconvergence or alignment), and mechanical design and other hardwareconsiderations. This limiting factor can be expressed as the minimumdistance possible between each optical module, DMin, whereDMin=max(SPW+DS (or DS2), HW, LD). SPW refers to the sensor packagewidth including all components, cables, connectors, boards and/orelectronics; DS refers to the distance of maximum travel required forviewpoint convergence; HW refers to the maximum required width of themechanical design for each individual capture module; LD refers to thelens outer diameter and includes any other optical components necessaryfor practical use.

Referring to the exemplary capture system 800 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,to further optimize the necessary spacing and captured pixel resolutionbased upon the available sensor width 805, an optical rotation mechanism830 may be introduced such that the image sensor's height 810 is now thelimiting factor within the sensor board/module design 820 by opticallyrotating the image by +/−90 degrees. The optical rotation mechanism 830may include the use of mirrors, relays, or prisms, external behind or infront of lens 840.

In an embodiment as shown in the capture system 1000 in FIG. 10, a beamsplitter 1010 disposed between arrays 1020 and 1030 allows for anarrangement where some cameras can have an apparently closer inter-axialdistance. More cameras can be added to one or both of the arrays withseparations≥Md. Depending on the desired capture inter-axial spacing, itmay be possible to add cameras to only one of the arrays.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the field of 3D image capture it may behelpful, in some circumstances, for the inter-axial separation ofcameras to be reduced below what may be conveniently achieved in theconstruction of the camera itself. This may be achieved by using adouble-telecentric relay lens system 1200 as shown in FIG. 12 to map theentrance pupils 1210 of the cameras to virtual entrance pupils 1220 witha preferred inter-axial separation. It may be convenient to focus and/orzoom the resulting compound system by making adjustments in the relaysystem rather than adjustments to each camera lens. The virtual pupilsare, in this example, a demagnified version of the cameras' entrancepupils. The pupil diameter is demagnified by the ratio of f₁/f₂.Correspondingly, the field of view of the compound system is increasedover the cameras' FOV by f₂/f₁. The field stop 1230 may not bephysically present, but is useful to aid in the description. It can bearranged such that the edge of the fields of all the cameras coincidewith the edge of the field stop.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an embodiment of a capture system 1300comprising an aperture splitting configuration to allow sensors 1310,1312, 1314, and 1316 to image a scene. The capture system 1300 mayinclude at least one split polarizer 1320 and a PBS 1322 to cooperate tosplit incoming light from a camera 1330 into 4 paths to the sensors1310, 1312, 1314, and 1316.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure may beused in a variety of optical systems and projection systems. Theembodiment may include or work with a variety of projectors, projectionsystems, optical components, computer systems, processors,self-contained projector systems, visual and/or audiovisual systems andelectrical and/or optical devices. Aspects of the present disclosure maybe used with practically any apparatus related to optical and electricaldevices, optical systems, presentation systems or any apparatus that maycontain any type of optical system. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be employed in optical systems, devices used invisual and/or optical presentations, visual peripherals and so on and ina number of computing environments including the Internet, intranets,local area networks, wide area networks and so on.

Additionally, it should be understood that the embodiment is not limitedin its application or creation to the details of the particulararrangements shown, because the embodiment is capable of othervariations. Moreover, aspects of the embodiments may be set forth indifferent combinations and arrangements to define embodiments unique intheir own right. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provide an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/orrelativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance rangesfrom zero percent to ten percent and corresponds to, but is not limitedto, component values, angles, et cetera. Such relativity between itemsranges between approximately zero percent to ten percent.

While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosedherein have been described above, it should be understood that they havebeen presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, thebreadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from thisdisclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are providedin described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of suchissued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all ofthe above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theembodiment(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to a“Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the languagechosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, adescription of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construedas an admission that certain technology is prior art to anyembodiment(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to beconsidered as a characterization of the embodiment(s) set forth inissued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to“invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there isonly a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodimentsmay be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claimsissuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define theembodiment(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In allinstances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their ownmerits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by theheadings set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A capture system operable to generate capturedviews of a scene, the captured views comprising information forgenerating at least one intermediate view within a total pixel disparitydefined by the captured views, T_(D), the system comprising: at least Snumber of optical modules, each of the optical module comprising: atleast one imaging sensor; at least one lens configured to direct imagelight to the at least one imaging sensor to generate one of the capturedviews, thereby defining an effective focal length, F_(L); wherein the Snumber of optical modules comprise at least S number of respectiveimaging sensors, S being an integer, and at least two of the at least Snumber of imaging sensors being defined on different substrates; whereineach of the at least S number of imaging sensors pairs with an adjacentimaging sensor to define a maximum effective disparity M_(D); wherein Sis greater than or equal to (T_(D)/M_(D)) +1, the ratio T_(D)/M_(D)being greater than 1 ; wherein M_(D) is less than or equal to (D_(IA)*P_(X)* F_(L)) / (S_(w)* D_(MAX)), in which S_(w) is an effective sensorwidth of the at least S number of image sensors, the S_(w) being definedalong a first direction; P_(X) is an effective pixel resolution of theat least S number of image sensors along the first direction; D_(IA) isan interaxial distance between optical centers of adjacent opticalmodules; and D_(MAX) is a distance between a closest object in the sceneand an optical center of an optical module closest to the closestobject.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the M_(D), is less than 25% ofa pixel resolution of a first intermediate view of the at least oneintermediate view.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the M_(D) is lessthan 10% of the pixel resolution of the first intermediate view.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the M_(D) is less than 1% of the pixelresolution of the first intermediate view.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the sensors are arranged in a horizontal array.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in a vertical array.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in a two dimensionalarray.
 8. A capture system operable to generate captured views of ascene, the captured views comprising information for generating at leastone intermediate view within a total pixel disparity defined by thecaptured views, T_(D), the system comprising: at least S number ofoptical modules comprising at least S number of respective imagingsensors, S being an integer; wherein each of the at least S number ofimaging sensors pairs with art adjacent imaging sensor to define amaximum effective disparity M_(D); wherein S is greater than or equal to(T_(D)/ M_(D)) +1, the ratio T_(D)/M_(D)being greater than 1 ; whereinthe at least S number of image sensors define substantially parallelimaging planes, and the at least S number of image sensors areconfigured to translate along a first direction in the parallel planes.9. The capture system of claim 8, wherein the at least S number of imagesensors are configured to translate along a second direction orthogonalto the first direction in the parallel planes.
 10. The capture system ofclaim 8, wherein the at least S number of image sensors are configuredto translate along a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes. 11.The system of claim 8, wherein the M_(D) is less than 25% of a pixelresolution of a first intermediate view of the at least one intermediateview.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the M_(D) is less than 10% ofthe pixel resolution of the first intermediate view.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the M_(D) is less than 1% of the pixel resolution ofthe first intermediate view.
 14. A capture system comprising: a firstcluster of sensors operable to generate fast captured views, the firstcluster comprising S₁ number of sensors, S₁ being an integer greaterthan one, wherein a first plurality of intermediate views within a firsttotal pixel disparity, T_(d1), are operable to be extrapolated from thefirst captured views; a second cluster of sensors operable to generatethe second captured views, the second duster comprising S₂ number ofsensors, S₂ being an integer greater than one, wherein a secondplurality of intermediate views within a second total pixel disparity,T_(d2), are operable to be extrapolated from the second captured views;wherein each sensor of the first cluster pairs with at least one othersensor to define a maximum effective disparity, M_(d1), of the firstcluster; wherein each sensor of the second cluster pair with at leastone other sensor to define a maximum effective disparity, M_(d2), of thesecond cluster; wherein S₁≥(T_(d1)/M_(d1)) +1 ; whereinS₂≥(T_(d2)/M_(d2)) +1 ; wherein the ratios T_(d1)/M_(d1) andT_(d2)/M_(d2), both greater than 1; and wherein at least one of thefirst cluster of sensors and at least one of the second cluster ofsensors are defined on different substrates.
 15. The system of claim 14.wherein the first cluster of sensors comprise at least two sensorsdefined on a same substrate.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the atleast two sensors on the same substrate are operable to capturedifferent views.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the first clusterof sensors comprise at least two sensors defined on differentsubstrates.
 18. A capture system comprising: a first cluster of sensorsoperable to generate first captured views, the first cluster comprisingS₁ number of sensors, S₁ being an integer greater than one, wherein afirst plurality of intermediate views within a first total pixeldisparity, T_(d1), are operable to be extrapolated from the firstcaptured views; a second cluster of sensors operable to generate thesecond captured views, the second cluster comprising S₂ number ofsensors, S₂ being an integer greater than one, wherein a secondplurality of intermediate views within a second total pixel disparity,T_(d2), are operable to be extrapolated from the second captured views;wherein each sensor of the first cluster pairs, with at least one othersensor to define a maximum effective disparity, M_(d1), of the firstcluster; wherein each sensor of the second cluster pair with at leastone other sensor to define a maximum effective disparity, M_(d2), of thesecond cluster; wherein S₁ ≥(T_(d1)/M_(d1)) +1 ; wherein S₂≥(T_(d2)/M_(d2)) +1 ; wherein the ratios T_(d1)/M_(d1)andT_(d2)/M_(d2)are both greater than 1; and wherein at least one of thefirst or the second cluster of sensors comprise at least two sensorshaving substantially the same pixel pitch.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the sensors are arranged in a one-dimensional array.
 20. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the sensors are arranged in a twodimensional array.